Margot Van Der Velden
About Margot Van Der Velden
Margot Van Der Velden serves as the Deputy Regional Director at the World Food Programme in Dakar, Senegal, a position she has held since 2023. With extensive experience in nutrition and emergency coordination, she has worked in various capacities within the organization since 2000.
Work at World Food Programme
Margot Van Der Velden currently serves as the Deputy Regional Director at the World Food Programme (WFP) in Dakar, Senegal, a position she has held since 2023. She has extensive experience with WFP, having previously worked in various roles including Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa from 2016 to 2018, and as Chief Nutrition, MCH and HIV/AIDS in the Programme Design Service from 2010 to 2013. Additionally, she has held positions such as Emergency Coordinator for West and Central Africa and Emergency Officer in Burkina Faso.
Education and Expertise
Margot Van Der Velden holds a Master's degree in Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, which she completed in 1994. She also studied at Wageningen University & Research, further enhancing her expertise in nutrition and food security. Her educational background supports her extensive professional experience in nutrition and emergency response within international organizations.
Background
Margot Van Der Velden began her career as a Nutritionist with Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium in Mozambique from 1993 to 1996. She joined the World Food Programme in 2001 and has since held various roles across different regions, including Deputy Country Director in Mozambique and Sudan. Her career spans over two decades, focusing on nutrition, emergency response, and food security analysis.
Achievements
Throughout her career at the World Food Programme, Margot Van Der Velden has contributed to significant initiatives in nutrition and emergency response. She has worked on various projects that address food security and health challenges in vulnerable populations. Her leadership roles, including Director of Emergencies since 2018, reflect her commitment to improving nutritional outcomes and emergency preparedness in affected regions.